Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"

Multitasking is vital to life in the modern world (most likely you are reading this article on a separate tab among many in your browser!), therefore it would make sense to learn a way to express simultaneous tasks in Chinese! This can be done with 一边 (yībiān).

Structure

To express that one thing is done whilst doing something else, the word 一边 (yībiān) is used.

Subj. + 一边 + Verb, + 一边 + Verb

Note that you sometimes see 一边 (yībiān) shortened to 边 (biān) as well, which has a less formal feel.

Examples

  • 不要 一边 说话,一边 吃 东西。Bù yào yībiān shuōhuà, yībiān chī dōngxi,.Don't talk while I eat something.
  • 我 常常 一边 洗澡, 一边 唱歌。Wǒ chángcháng yībiān xǐzǎo, yībiān chànggē.I often sing while I take the shower.
  • 小孩子 喜欢 一边 吃 饭 一边 玩。Xiǎo háizi xǐhuan yībiān chīfàn yībiān wán.Children like to eat while they play.
  • 你 喜欢 一边 听 音乐 一边 做 作业 吗?Nǐ xǐhuan yībiān tīng yīnyuè yībiān zuòzuòyè ma?Do you like to listen to the music while doing homework?
  • 我们 一边一边 聊 吧。Wǒmen yībiān zǒu yībiān liáo ba.Let's talk while we walk.
  • 请 你 一边一边 写。Qǐng nǐ yībiānyībiān xiě.Please write while you read.
  • 不要 一边 开车 一边 打电话。Bù yào yībiān kāichē yībiān dǎ diànhuà.Don't talk on the phone while you drive.
  • 老板 喜欢 一边 抽烟 一边 工作。Lǎobǎn xǐhuan yībiān chōuyān yībiān gōngzuò.The boss likes to smoke while working.
  • 很多 人 都 一边 上班 一边 玩 手机。Hěn duō rén dōu yībiān shàngbān yībiān wán shǒujī.Many people play with their cellphone while working.
  • 她老公 很忙,她 常常 一边 做 家务 一边 带 小孩。 Tālǎogōng hěn máng tā chángcháng yībiān zuò jiāwù yībiān dài xiǎohái.Her husband is very busy.She often looks after the baby while doing housework.

Note that you must be actively doing both actions. That is, they have to be intentional. If you want to say something happened while another thing was happening, it would be better to use "的时候" (de shíhou).

See also

Sources and further reading

Books